3 Feb 2008

Feb. 3, 2008
Dear Elder Sean,
I'm sending this email to both your email addresses cuz I don't know which one you're going to be looking at. Just let us know.

How are you doing? How was your week? Did you find anyone new to start teaching? We're all praying for you here to find that family that's been prepared for the gospel message. We know they're there somewhere. Nikki prays every night that you'll find the family that you can take to church and to the temple. I read a wonderful talk by Elder Holland in the Church News. Maybe you've already read it since you're in the office. But it was from his talk given to the new couples training for missions. I'm going to send a copy of it to you. I loved the quote from Elder Holland, "but every missionary has a gift, every missionary has a commission. We just need them to believe in those gifts and embrace that commission. There will be power in such an approach to missionary work." Find your gift, Sean and embrace your commission.

We are well here. We woke this morning to another 4 inches of snow. The teachers quorum has been very busy this year keeping the walks cleared. Alex and the priests all go out after church and clear people's driveways. Dad had to work today, so today we got our driveway cleared. Alex said so many priests showed up that it was easy work and they got done very quickly. Kirk says they are getting snow every single day and the temp. is about 0 degrees F. They got down to 30 below last week. Looks like our forecast is showing some warming for this week, up into the 30's, so it should be nice. Last Wed. the schools were all cancelled for that notorious and elusive "snow day". Leah and Nikki and Kristina thought it was the greatest. They sledded and hooky-bobbed all day long. Now every morning when I wake them up, they ask, "is it a snow day?"

Monte Moore's mom called me this week. We talked for a long time. Monte and his wife went to the temple last week and were sealed and then had their little son sealed to them. She said it was such a wonderful event and Monte was in tears. He and his wife have worked so hard this past year to make this happen and they are doing very well. Also she called to tell me that she had been released as RS president and that they put her husband in as bishop. So she had some bishop's wife questions. Now that she's not president, we'll be able to get together more often. Her ward has been a lot of work for her. They have over 200 sisters and several of them are dependent on welfare and need constant counseling and help. It's been almost overwhelming at times for her and now her husband will have his hands full.

Andrea Jones is on her way over. She said she found a good treat to put in your next box. She said it's something she knows you really like, so you have something to look forward to . Have you received our box yet? From the sounds of your last letter, it sounds like you got G & G Thompson's box, but not ours.

We were able to watch Pres. Hinckley's funeral on TV yesterday. Channel 7 and KBYU carried it here. It was so nice to feel like we were a part of it. The music was particularly good and most of the choices were songs that Pres. Hinckley had written the words for. They've been showing specials on his life and it just reinforces what we already know, that he was an amazing man who stepped up to every challenge that came his way. At every stage of his life, he learned lessons, gained wisdom and shared what he learned with others. I am in awe of him.

Dad just called and will be coming home soon. He's had a long day. I guess the snow doesn't keep people in their homes. He said the Giants won the Super Bowl and it was a good game from what he could see. Alex is getting up at 4am to go over to the Yorgason's to watch the Super Bowl. I guess they have this big tradition where they record it and watch it the next morning and have a big fun breakfast.

Also this week we were able to get Alex into EFY. He didn't make it in, so we had to scramble this week and sit in line online in order to get him into a newly created session at BYU in June. They had wanted to go to Rexburg, but I think at this point they're all just happy that they got in somewhere.

Dad just got home and we chatted with Andrea for a little while. She's busy in the RS in her ward and is really trying to help her little sister stay active and get used to going to church.

Kirk called today and his calling in his ward is Gospel Doctrine teacher. This will be a good calling for him. He said he taught today and enjoyed it. He had a couple dates this weekend and asked out one of the girls again for next weekend. So his social life is definitely active. They postponed the dedication of the Rexburg temple until next weekend. Kirk has tickets to go to the Sunday dedication. Wish we could go to it, but the weather is just so crazy lately.

Also some rather sad news from family--Isaac and Bethany have separated. It's really been hard on everyone and it doesn't look very hopeful for them getting back together. Steve and Carolina have been calling here and it's been so hard on their family. It really makes me sad. On the other hand, Giovanni just got engaged and will be getting married the end of April to a girl named Jenn. He seems so happy and Steve and Carolina say they are so cute together. Dad, Kirk and I are going to fly to Arizona in April to go to their temple sealing. I'm very excited for him, but with Isaac's news, it's kind of put a little damper on things.

Other than that, we are all busy, happy and so very grateful for our many blessings. I have a kind, generous, loving husband and I feel love in our home every day. I think dad and I are a great team together, and I love hanging out with him, working on projects together and just being near him. he puts my needs before his always and always is the first one to say sorry even when it isn't his fault and we want so much for all of you to know and feel what we know and feel. Life is a beautiful journey and sharing it with people you love is a taste of eternal life here on earth.

Have a great week. We are with you in spirit.
Love you,
momxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxxoxoxoxoxo